UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visits Beirut amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Beirut on a solidarity visit to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and the Lebanese movement Hezbollah. The fighting began on March 2, 2026, following the death of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei on February 28. Guterres emphasized that there is no military solution and called for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy. Reports on the conflict's toll vary, with official data cited as 826 deaths, including 106 children, in one source and 687 deaths in another. The hostilities have caused over 830,000 citizens to be forcibly displaced from their homes. Guterres urged the international community to provide increased support and resources to the Lebanese state and its armed forces. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem previously warned that the organization is prepared for a long-term conflict.